(Editor's Note: Despite the fall rowing season wrapping up last weekend, we felt it would still be a great time to catch up with junior rower Jackson Dean of the Franklin Pierce men's rowing team. This week, we find out about Jackson's striving to make himself and the Ravens team a better unit.)

By Morgan Miller
Athletics Student Feature Writer

Time and dedication are two of the major components that make up what it takes to compete in collegiate athletics. As a member of the men’s rowing team, junior Jackson Dean understands exactly how much time and dedication it takes to compete in just one single race, let alone an entire season or career.

Dean began his rowing career between his sophomore and junior seasons at Cohasset Maritime Institute. It didn’t take long for him to realize his passion for the sport and decided to continue rowing at the collegiate level.

“It was really difficult to learn at first, but I’m that kid who doesn’t give up on things, so I stuck with it,” he said. “I then realized that I wanted to try it in college and after three years of hard work and dedication, I am right where I want to be.”

Competing in college rowing has been very different than Dean’s high school career. When he arrived on campus, Dean quickly realized what it was going to take in order to be successful in this grueling sport.

“It takes an excessive amount of commitment in order to compete in rowing. You are tested every day, both mentally and physically,” he said. “Rowers are the type of people who learn to thrive under pressure and become better people because of it.”

Practices for rowing are held in the wee hours of the morning at 5:15 a.m. on the shores and the waves of Pearly Pond on the Rindge campus. Dean describes them as “always interesting”. He stated that practices usually consist of stretching, a warm-up, a 25-30 minute work-out and a cool down.

“Practices are usually treated like races. You have to take them seriously in order to be successful and that’s my goal every time I’m out on the water,” Dean said.

He expressed that it has been especially difficult sticking with the sport for the past three years because of the team lacking in numbers as well as success. However, he feels that this year the program has done a complete turnaround and has tremendous potential.

“This team has grown into a family. After experiencing absolute heartache during my freshmen and sophomore seasons, I am proud to be a part of this team and I am eager for the future,” he said.

Some of Dean’s major achievements during his rowing career include earning high honors in academics during his high school career, as well as being a member of the Ravens varsity four boat his sophomore year which finished 12th out of 38 teams (ahead of four Division I schools) at the Head of the Fish Regatta in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Despite having several races under his belt, Dean stated that his most memorable experience during his rowing career at Franklin Pierce was his very first collegiate race.

“I had never been around anything like that before. The adrenaline was through the roof and it was truly a unique experience,” he said.

Dean has high expectations for the upcoming spring season, both individually and for the team as a whole. He plans on using his leadership role on the team to motivate teammates to increase their commitment and work ethic.

“I plan on doing what I do best and that’s working as hard as I can to make both my team and myself successful,” said Dean. “The goals and expectations for the men’s team this year are the highest they’ve been in my time here at Franklin Pierce. We have a core group of freshmen that have all rowed before and have plenty of experience. Everyone should expect to see championships out of the rowing team this year, plain and simple; anything else would be a failure.”

The men and women’s rowing teams will be participating in indoor training all winter to prepare for the upcoming spring season. Their first spring race will be held sometime in March.